Box Office: Everyone Still Loves Meatballs

Never underestimate the power of a family-friendly film. That’s the lesson Hollywood should be learning just about now, as the CG animated movie “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” continues its hold on the box office for the second straight week. The film, based on a popular children’s book, took in another $24.6 million in its second week of release, according to studio estimates, giving it a 2-week total of $60 million at the domestic box office. The film’s second week take nearly doubled that of the highest earner among the trio of new films at the box office.

In another blow to Bruce Willis’ star power, the expensive “Surrogates” came in at second place with $15 million, well short of industry expectations. But at least it did better than the Ben Foster/Dennis Quaid sci-fi thriller “Pandorum”, which didn’t even manage to break through the Top 5, just barely managing a #6 placement with a weak $4.7 million opening. “Pandorum” just barely beat out the Jennifer Aniston romantic comedy “Love Happens” by a razor thin margin. The romcom is in its second week of release.

The week’s other opening film, the teen-friendly remake of “Fame” opened in third place with $10 million. That’s actually not all that bad, considering the film’s modest $25 million dollar budget, and its general lack of big-name stars. The film will probably earn back its budget before it finishes up its theatrical run, and there’s always DVD and cable sales to make up the difference. Teen-heavy dance movies also do well overseas, so chances are you will remember their name.